ApplyAI Blog
The admissions stuff no one tells you.
Honest, specific writing on Common App essays, AI detection, and the things admissions readers actually score against. Written by Aidan Sugarman, Grade 12 Crescent School Toronto.
April 2026 7 min
AI detectionEssays
How to humanize a ChatGPT essay before submitting
AI detectors are getting smarter. Here are the 11 specific patterns they flag — and how to strip them without losing what your essay actually says.
Read post April 2026 9 min
EssaysAdmissions
11 Common App essay clichés admissions readers actually hate
We pulled the phrases that show up in 50%+ of essays — and the ones admissions officers can spot in the first sentence. Includes real fixes.
Read post April 2026 8 min
StrategyAdmissions
Common App vs Coalition vs UC: which one to actually use
Most students use the wrong platform out of habit. A practical breakdown of which 9 schools each handles best — and where you can save 4 hours of duplicate writing.
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